Jagan formally launches work on Machilipatnam port

Machilipatnam: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday formally launched works on the Machilipatnam port. The port works are estimated to have a budget of Rs. 5,156 crores and will be completed in two years.

Jagan offered special prayers at the sea and launched the works.

The Machilipatnam port will be constructed with an initial cargo capacity of 35 million tonnes. The capacity of the four-berth deepwater port would be increased to 116 million tonnes as the cargo traffic increases gradually.

Addressing the public meeting, Jagan said, “The port will help grow Machilipatnam like developed port cities Mumbai and Chennai as it would be connected with the national highway 216 and Gudivada–Machilipatnam railway line soon, enhancing the port accessibility and improving the connectivity.”

He added, “The port is becoming a reality as the government has completed land acquisition, finalised tender process, and completed financial closure besides obtaining all permissions by resolving legal hurdles created by the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu.”

Jagan said Machilipatnam will soon become the care of address for trade and commerce and industrial growth as Telangana and Chhattisgarh also will make use of the port, resulting in the growth of ancillary industries creating direct and indirect work for lakhs of people over time.

“In the next 24 months, you can see huge ships anchoring in the Machilipatnam sea waters. I thank the farmers who had given land for the construction of the port,” said Jagan. About 4,000 acres of government land will be gradually linked to the port being built on an area of 242 acres given by the farmers.

New medical college

A medical college being constructed with Rs. 550 crores will soon be inaugurated at Machilipatnam. Admissions to the medical college will commence by August or September. It will cater to the medical and health needs of the people of Pedana, Avanigadda, and Kaikaluru.

Fishing harbour to complete in 4 months

The state government is building four new seaports, including the Machilipatnam port, spending over Rs. 16,000 crores and 10 fishing harbours and six fish land centres with an expenditure of Rs. 3,700crores, besides six new airports.

One of the fishing harbours coming up in Machilipatnam will be completed in the next four months. About 25,000 new jobs will be created at each port, fishing harbour, and fish land centre, helping the fishermen improve their lives.

Responding to the appeal of MLA P. Nani (Venkatramaiah), the chief minister sanctioned Rs. 25 crores for a road over bridge at the medical college, Rs. 3 crores for the construction of six community halls, and Rs. 5 crores for Ambedkar Bhavan repair works.